The Upside is a career best for Kevin Hart, and combined with the talents of Bryan Cranston, the two of them lift the film up above its standard story of an unlikely friendship to create a genuinely moving viewing experience.

What is unfortunate is the contrivance of this story. Hartmere and Burger use the tired convention of starting the film with the resolution of their relationship and then rewind six months to follow the progression.

This is a different look for him, and I'm fine with what he does, stepping in to a dramatic role. I have issues with this film because it wants to play off that "inspired by a true film" a bit too much.